seeke him bee Into what Darkness was the Gentile World Not Knowing of the Promis'd IESVS Hurl'd Since out of its Dominion to be Freed The Sun Auxiliary Light did need That Faith which to those Magi did Declare The Light which did Conduct Them was HIS STARR ' Made them nor be Disgusted nor Dismayd Seeing Their God in a Vile Manger Layd To their Inlightned Soules Faith made it Clear That His Blest Kingdom was Above not Here. Nor Fear'd They their Bright Guide had them Beguil'd When th' Ancient of Dayes Seem'd but a Child All this to Those Wise men gave no Offence Their Sight of Faith Triumph'd o're that of Sense For no such Faith as That in Them did Dwell Was to be Found no not in Israel They therefore worship IESVS and then bring Gold Myrrhe and Incease to their Priest and King And as the Gentiles Representative They those Mysterious Presents to Him give Happy Those Easterns were as well as Wise Who first Paid Christ the Gentiles Sacrifice In various Wayes God did his Son Dispence The Old VVorld saw by Faith the New by Sence All Sacred Duties being paid by Them A safe way home God taught them in a Dream God made Deaths Image sleep teach them to shun The Danger They were in to Find his Son Heaven did by what suspended Reasons vse Safety to those who worship Christ Produce While such as God does call Their sleep doe Takâ— The Eye of Providence for Them does Wake On the Day of the Purification And the Presenting of IESVS in the Temple HAil Glorious Day on which Heav'n Judg'd it â—itt The Temples God should be brought into It. Hail Happy Pile in which He did Remain Whom even the Heav'n of Heav'ns cannot Contain Mysterious Day on which it may be Said That God was unto God an Off'ring made That Loâ—ty Temple Solomon did Build Must to the Glory of This Temple Yeild Christs Presence made This Temple That Excell In Him the God-head Bodily did Dwell That But in Gold and Pollish'd Stones was Bright This shin'd with Him VVho is the Light of Light He There and on the Crosse did Solemnize His Morning and His Ev'ning Sacrifice Blest Virgin sure Thou didst not stand in Need For Bearing IESVS to be Purify'd Next Thy Sons Body Thine the Purest was Since Purity it self through Thee did Passe What is 't Thy Purifying then did Mean Child-birth which stain'd Thy Sex did make Thee Clean Thou neededst noe more Cleansing then Thy Son Did stand in need of Circumcision But Both Perform'd what God does Highest Prize Obedience is better then Sacrifice Parents are taught by Her who Bore the Truth To Consecrate to God their Childrens Youth Their Pious Gratitude with Hers should Suite Who Offer'd up to God both Tree and Fruite Turtles which Innocences Emblems be Yet could not be more Innocent then She The Offering She Paid and Son She Bore Shew'd She was Heav'nly Rich and Wordly Poor On the Day call'd Innocenâ—s Day HAil Mournfull Day On which the Iews Beheld Great Ieremie's Dire Prophesy Fulfill'd Sad Ramah saw those Murther'd whom She Bred And Rachell would not then be Comforted For Herod being both Enrag'd and Greiv'd Thinking He by the Magi was Deceiv'd And fearing the New Starrs vnknown Event To Heav'n a Legion of Young Martyrs Sent. Dreading to Misse that ONE which He Pursu'd Hee in Those Infants Blood his Hands Imbru'd With what Mean Fears are Tyrants Joyes Controll'd Fearfull They are of Children Two years Old Thus Herod Acts against His own Decree He makes Them more then he did Fear They'd bee Mans Rage most Glory to Gods Children Brings 'T is Greater to be Martyrs then be Kings The Old vail'd Type now Wee with Clearness Know These through a True Red Sea to Canaan Goe And Led the Van of that Blest Host whose Rear Will not be Seen till Time cease to Appâ—ar Our Mother therefore does Decree that They Should in Her Kalendar enjoy a Day Faith shew'd Her which with VVonder Reason Fills That Martyrs might be made against Their VVills And what 's more strange That such to Heav'n should Come As Dy'd They knew not VVhy nor yet for whom Yet such is the Extensive Pow'r of Grace That little Children have in Heav'n a Place Christ did therein His Will to Man Disclose And said His Kingdome did Consist of Those Well then may such Eternall Glory win Who dy'd for Christ did no Actuall Sin God did these Sons of Men to Glory take Who in effect were kil'd for His Sons sake On the Day of the Crucifixion of Our Blessed SAVIOUR VVOnderfull Day That Title 's due to Thee Above All Dayes which have been or shall bee The Day when Order out of Chaos Broke The Day when God our Human Nature took The Day when Christ Ascended from the Tombe The Day when All the World must hear their Doom Tho these Four Dayes wee justly Great Ones call Yet when Alas Compar'd to Thee are small For 't was not strange that both the Heav'ns Earth From Gods All-Pow'rfull Word Receiv'd their Birth Nor when nought else Heav'ns Justice could Attone The God of Nature put Our Nature on Nor that Hee should in whose Hand onely lies Th' Issues of Life and Death from Death Arise Nor that One Generall Assize should bee To Hear from Gods own Mouth his Iust Decree These but the Actings of a God Display But That God suffer'd on This Signall Day Which Miracle Amazement did Infuse In Heav'n Earth Hell and All but in the Jews In whose Obdurate Soules such Rancour Dwelt As All the World but They Compunction Felt. The Sun from His Bright Globe His Lustre strips And with His Maker suffers an Ecclips The Moon did hide Her Face tho fill'd with Light Seeing the Sun at Noon Create a Night The Sacred Temple at the strange Event Of this great Day Her Vaile for Sorrow Rent The Earth which does insensible appeare Yet at this Prodigie did shake with â—eare Hells Sad Inhaâ—itants for Anger Cry'd And by these Signes Knew the Messiah Dy'd Th' Insatiate Grave which the Last Day does Dread Thinking it now was Come Releas'd Her Dead The Pale Centurion Smote His Trembling Breast And that Christ was the Son of God Confest But the vile Iews their Heads at Iesus nod Bid Him come Down and Then They 'll Say Hees God Oh Frantick Wretches wa st not More to Have The Bodies of the Saints Forsake the Grave The Sun grow Dark th' Earth in a Palsey see Then onely to Descend From oâ—f a Tree But t was that Sacred Blood they did Despise And wish'd vpon theire Heads which vaild their Eyes Oh! who of thâ—se Obdurate Iews can Hear And not bee Struck with Horrour and with Fear Yet wee call'd Christians Guiltier are then They They knew Him not
Christ carry'd to Heav'n and then Does with the Spirit of God Enlighten Men The Cloven Tongues Foreshow the Joyfull News That Gentiles must be taught as well as Iews And Tongues like as of Fire did Intimate The Cleansing Pow'r should on the Gospell waite The Gazing Multitude with Ioy Admire How Tongues on Heads should Tongues in Mouths Inspire Thus taught by God in Tongues They Criticks grew Of which the Pow'r before They nothing knew Now Ev'ry Nation which the Feast had brought Heard in their Variant Speech the Gospell taught Variety of Tongues in Elder Time Stop'd that proud Tow'r man aim'd to Heav'n should Climbe But now Variety of Tongues is giv'n As the sure means to Raiâ—e Man vp to Heav'n Those who the Church would to One Tongue Contract Against this Fruitâ—ull Miracle must Act And while They Run in such a Guâ—lâ—y way Destroy one Blessed end of this great Day How Faulty against God must Those Appear Who Darken what This Miracle made Clear And with Their Pride or Interest to Comply Would make Religion a Monopoly Yet some to mock the Miracle Designe And Drunk with Rage Ascribe it to New Wine With which when men are fill'd Experience shows It tyes mens Tongues but New Ones ne're Bestows Blest Ioels Prophecy on them did Fall Yet Inspiration Drunkeness They call No wonder when in Sin They flew so High God gave them over to Beleeve a Lye But they by whom the Miracle was Priz'd Receiv ' the Sacred Faith and were Baptiz'd When the Blest Spirit mov'd the Tongue which Taught Three thousand Soules to life one Sermon brought Above all things Gods word should be Esteem'd It made the World and then the World Redeem'd Yet the Best work does on the Gospell waite 'T is more the World to Save then to Create On the Day of St. Iohn The BAPTIST HAil Thou Bright Phospher to that Gloriouâ— Day Which from the World Sins Darkness Chas'd away Hail Sacred Voice which from Above was Sent To warn Man to Beleeve and to Repent Nevâ—r did such a Prophet Shine on Earth He his Redeemer knew before his Birth His Ioyfull Lâ—aping in his Mothers Womâ—e When His Lords Mother vnto His did Come Made it to both That he did Know appear The Vnborn SAVIOUR of the World was there Phylosophy cannot the VVayes Vnfold How Babes Vnborn did Correspondence hold None can the Hidden Cause of it Dispence But onely the SUPREAM INTELLIGENCE No VVonder since our Saint Transcended All That Christ should Him more then a Prophet Call Judge with what Knowledge God did him Adorâ—e VVho knew Wisdom it self ere He was borne Reading of Him VVonder our Soules should Seise His History is fill'd with Miracles Hee did a Sonne to Barrenness become His body was his Tongue within the Wombe In His strange Birth The Eies of Faith might See The Barren Gentile VVorld should Fruitfull bee So many did for His Baptising strive That Enons River scarce could Waters give Nevâ—r did man to such High Gâ—ory Rise This wonâ—râ—us Priest did his own God Baptise In stead of shineing Vestments He did weare A Leathâ—rn Girâ—le and a Râ—be of Haire Yâ—t His Biâ—st Ministry most Firmly Stood Its Greaâ—â—es did appear in Doeing Good 〈◊〉 and some Wild â—ony was His Fare Carthusians Meales to His Excâ—ssâ—s were This spareing Dâ—et and That humble Dress Does practâ—cally Sentenâ—e Our Excess Yet the great Orâ—ers of the Pen and Sword Did 〈◊〉 to Hâ—ar and Reverenc'd His Word No Charactâ—rs by man Erâ—ctâ—d shine With â—o much Awe in Hearts as the Divine Râ—ason payes more to Pâ—ety Alone Then to the Guarâ—s and Glittrings of a Throne VVâ—at yet of his first State Man in him beares Minds him More 's due to wâ—at he Likes then Fâ—ars But All His merit did not Guard his Life â—rom the Râ—venge of an Incestuous VVife VVho can think Crimes which Lust will not Comitt VVhen t is to Râ—ap the Guilty Fruits of it Nature Religion and All Sacred Tyes Some will while the Hot Frâ—nzy Lasts Dispise Heâ—od Sirnam'd Antipas had been Led Inflam'd by Lust his Brothers Wife to wed Our Sacred Baptist whom no Pow'r could awe Declar'd His Marriage was against the Law Th' Incestuous Queen who thought Less bright shee Shone In a Chast Bed then in a Vicious Throne Fearing the Sentence past by such a Saint Might make the Kings Soul Firm and Passion Faint Resolv'd to Act what oft the Fierce had Try'd Great Crimes by Greater must be Justify'd The time She Destin'd for this Guilty Thing Was on the Birth Day of Her Lustfull King For then to Honor it there did Resort All that were Great or Gay about the Court. When Meats Excess Join'd with the Fumes of wine Clouded that Reason Temp'rance does Refine Herodias Dâ—ughter by her Mother gain'd So well the King with Danceing Iâ—tertain'd That when His Justice to His Passion bow'd He Solemnly in the Assembly vow'd What e're She ask'd of Him should be Her Own Tho t were to half the Value of His Crown The Cruel Maid then ask'd the Baptists Head No sighs She â—tter'd and no Tears she Shed Pleas'd that Her Mothers Fury She Obey'd A sinfull Joy Her wanton Looks Display'd Herod to grant the Black Request was Loath Yet for the sake of His great Guests and Oath The Bloody Present instantly was Brought Ne're with such Worth and Guilt was Charger Fraught Yet All their Mirth the Gastly sight did Break For tho the Tongue did not the Head did speak And Cry'd to Heav'n where the great Judge does dwell Who from Their Thrones th' Incesâ—â—ous did Expell How wild is Pow'r which made a Monarch Prone To slight Gods Word to Gratisy his Own Faâ—sly He thought to a Rash Oath he ow'd More then to Justice Nay more then to God His Griev'd Disciples hearing the Sad News Did Their own Sins for their great Loss accuse Then from the Prison They the Body 〈◊〉 And a True Mourning at the Fan'rall make Yet to the Lookers on it did Appear The Mourâ—ers Happy'er then the Dancers were O who can Read this Story with Dry Eâ—â—s Or will not aâ—ter it this World Despise When such a Hâ—ad is as a Tribuâ—e paid To a Lâ—ud Oath past to a Danceing Maid Let vs since Lofâ—y Stations Crimes Inspire Early from all their Cheating Charmes Retire Whâ—n on Death Beds we Languishing shall Lye And know Eternall Joies or Paines are nigh Thâ—n wâ—â— shall Grieve tho it may be too Laâ—e How slightly wee our precious Time did Rate Many â—ave Mourn'd Their Lives They ill have spâ—nt But none of well Employing them Repâ—nt On the Day of St. Stephen the Christian Proto-Martyr HAil Thou Blest Leader of the Noblest Band Which ever Mortall did or shall Comand The Worlds great Generalls their Follow'rs Pay In Rusting metall or in Fadeing
the Life the Truth the Way And when the Lord of Life They Cruciâ—y'd They did not know that 't was for Them He Dy'd Mercy may Plâ—ad their Ignorance for Them But 't is Our Knowledge which may vs Condemn Instead of Praise wee load Him with Our Scorns Wound him afresh and Crown him with worse Thornes We say He is our Saviour God and King Yet trample on his Blood as a Vile Thing Iudâ—s his Cursed part wee daily Play And Him wee â—ail as Master Wee Betray The Wonders of this Day wee Heighten thus Makeing it vseless that Hee Dy'd for vs. Prodigious Day on which ev'n God did Pray To God to take the Bitter Cup away A Day in which Philosophy Descry'd That Nature or the God of Nature Dy'd A Day in which Mortallity may Cry Death Thou art Swallow'd vp in Victory O may this Day bee in All Hearts Engrav'd This Day on which GOD Dy'd and Man was Sav'd On the Day of the Resurrection of Our Blessed SAVIOUR Or Easser Day HAil Glorious Day on which th' Almighty gave To His New World the First Fruits of the Grave Hail Glorious Day in Thy Illustrious Light What Faith could scarce Bâ—lieve Appear'd to Sight Hail Thou most Glorious Day for 't was on Thee Death Lost his Sting the Grave His Victory Ere the Blest Dawn of this Day did Begin On which God Rose from Death and Man from Sin The Pious Magdalen prevents the Light Her steddy Soul Darkness nor Tombs could Fright She of that Pow'r to Guard Her could not Doubt By which Her seven Divills had been cast out Hâ—r Duâ—y's to His Corps Shee does Begin Assoon as She could Pay Them without Sin But All those Perfumes which with her Shee Beates Were not so Sweet as was Her Love and Teares Both which did Rise in Her to such an Hâ—ighth As made her Gratitude Resemble Faith David would not the Love of Man Preferr Could Hee have known the Love which shin'd in Her Argells to whom Her matchless Griefs were known To ease them From the Tomb Rell'd off the Stone But nor the Earth-quake nor that Glorious Sight Had or the Pow'r to Please Her or to Fright Nor could the Honour Shee did then Obtain Of speaking with Blest Spirits Ease Her Pain For those who IESUS seek as Mary did Can but in finding HIM be satisfy'd Who could Believe a Woâ—an would Display More Love then â—ee who on Christs Bosome Lay. Or that to Hers Blest Peters Love should Yeild On whose Confession Christ His Church did Build Yet She came Early'r to His Tombe then They And stay'd and wept after They went away Nothing could o're her Grieâ—s the Conquest win Yet Love made want of Faith in Her no Sin For when an Angells News stopt not her Tears Christ to Reward them instantly appears Soe Apt He is to bring that Soul Releif Whose Trembling Faith springs but from Love Grief Both which in her Hee did so Highly Prize As She First saw Him of All mortall Eyes And sends Her his Apostle ev'n to Those Whom He to be the Worlds Apostles Chose Never did Love and Sorrow Hers Excell And never Both were Recompens'd so well As 't was a Woman which Death first Brought In So 't was a Woman did the Glory win To tell the World with Her Obligeing Breath The Lord of Life had broke the Bonds of Death Death which till then did valiant Men perplex Now should not Fright Those of the softer Sex Myriads of which through Faith in IESU'S Name Have run to Deaths Embraces through the Flame Elijah like from Earth They did Retire And Climb'd to Heav'n in Chariots made of Fire True Grief does Cause Our Comforts not Destroy For Those who Sow in Tears shall Reap in Ioy. And when Death comes to State vs in the Face His Pow'r we Smile at by the Pow'r of Grace Christ by His Riseing has made Death to bee Only the Gate to Blest ETERNITY Such then as strive to gett Admittance there While They fâ—ar Dâ—ath to enter Heav'n They Fear Those who like Magdalen their Saviour Love Now Hee is Ris'n should seek the Things Above Since wee in Magdalen so well are taught Christ to a Soul by Love and Tears are brought Still let vs strive by Both Our Souls to bring VVhere They with Hers may Allelujabs Sing â—n the Day of the Ascenâ—ion of Our Blessed SAVIOUR HAil Thou most sad and Joyfull Day on which Earth grew more Poor that Heav'n might grow more Rich. Th'Apostles Christs Ascention did Deplore Fearing They Lost what They did but Restore No wonder it Surpriz'd the Gazers Sights To See a Cloud lâ—volue the Light of Lights To that Cloud only was the Blessiâ—g giv'n To be the Chariot which bore God to Heav'n The Truths which David Suâ—g did then Appear Darkness His Closett Clouds his Chariots were In Sacred Things How soon is Reason Lost Till'tis Enlighten'd by the Holy Ghost For They with Grief on his Ascention Look Tho then Hee in Our Right Possession took Of that Blest Kingdom where 'till that Glad time The Human Nature ne're before could Climb The Happy Cloud on which Hee Dâ—ign'd to Ride Approaching Heav'n the Gates did open wide And Allelujahs Angells did Begin Seeing the King of Glory enter In. Hells and Deaths Powr's Hee did before Defeat And Now His Crosses Triumphs are Compleat For to the Blood of it the Pow'r was giv'n To Reconcile All both iâ— Earth and Heav'n Angells are now from fâ—ar of falling Free'd Captivity by Him being Captive Led Since that Blest Harmony was heard on Earth Which Heav'n did make at His Porâ—entours Birth What Pen but one took from an Angells wing Can write the Tryumphs His Return did bring Angells Rejoyc'd who Musick are and Love That Those they guard Below shall Reign Above And shall on those Bright Thrones for ever Dwell From which by Pride some of Their Order fell While Heav'n did thus Rejoyce Men sink with Grief Two Angells therefore Fly to Their Relief Who told th' Apostles while They Gaze and Mourn That as Christ went from thence He should Return Such High Ambassadors such Charming News Banish'd their Sorrows and did Joy Infuse A Joy which tho subâ—ime was not Complâ—ate Till God indu'd them with the Paraclâ—te On the Day of Pentecosâ— commonly call'd Whitsunday HAil Welcome Day on which the World may Boast Th'Apostles first Receiv'd the Holy Ghost God Vsher'd in the Vast Gift He design'd By a most mighty and a Rushing wind To shew the Blessed Spirit does Abhorr To Rest in any Place not Cleans'd before God a Consumeing Fire Himself does Call Now in Illuminateing Fires does â—all The God of Nature Natures Laâ—s did turn And made that to Inspire which vs'd to Burn. Mans Nature
Bay Theirs must by Killing Guilty wreaths Obtain But Thine by Dying Life and Glory gain Both which shall â—ast when Pyramâ—ds of Pride Are shrunk to Ashes such as now They Hide This shews how Different the Paymâ—nts are In the World 's Laufeaâ— and the Spirituall Warr. The Jews who Found They no Dâ—fence could make Against that Spirit by which Stephen Spake Resolv'd by Death to finish the Dispute And stop that Tongue which They could not Conâ—ute Those Stones with which his Life They batterd down God made the Jewells of Our Martyrs Crown Our Christian Moses first this Red Sea Try'd And to the Heav'nly Canaan is Our Guide VVhen IESUS was to Dy for Mankinds Crime Onely One Angell came to Comfort Him But when Blest Stephen was a Martyr made To His Glad Eies All Heav'n appear'd His Aide When God and Christ by Op'ning Heaâ—vn were shown Both Faith and sight for Him Combin'd in One. Thus Gods vnbounded Mercy did Proceâ—d Giveing most Comâ—ort whâ—re there was most Need. To the First 〈◊〉 was the Blâ—ssing giv'n To have on Earth a Reâ—ll sight of Heav'n Lâ—st â—ailing through 〈◊〉 stormes his Soul might Frightâ— Oâ— his wish'â— Pâ—rt God kept him still in Sight Marâ—yrs to Câ—me in â—is 〈◊〉 â—ision see 〈…〉 which to â—uch 〈◊〉 God â—oes Dâ—â—ree No Athist â—'re to â—oose his Life was Known Only to provâ— that Aâ—tâ—r it There 's none 〈◊〉 when Lâ—e does Expire Is lesâ— the wickeds â—aith then their desire But Stepâ—en Joyâ—ully 〈◊〉 Râ—fingn'd Kâ—owing He shouâ—d with Christ a better fiâ—d If after Dying nâ—thing did Remain His Vision â—ad been Faâ—â—e his Pray'r Vain What Stephn â—aw wouâ—d Charge God with a Lye If with the Bodies Death the Soul should Dye Christ then did Act what 〈…〉 That Martyrs Blood should bee the Churches Seâ—d For his Last words Proofs of Christs God-head give Praâ—ing that IESUS would His Soâ—l Râ—ceive Since who in Martyrdomes Red Path has Trod Dâ—ing would Leave his Spirit but to God Frâ—m â—is Last Pray'â— wee Râ—ap this Blessed Fruit That Arrianisme ere born it does Consute True Martyrs Charity ascends so High They Pray for those at Death that make Them â—y And Such as part with Life Gods Laws to Keep Dâ—ing to Them is but to fall Asleep On the Day of St. Peter HAil First Apostle Thou whom Christ did Choose To Preach Mose's his Saviour to the Jews None of the Sacred Twelue the Church Agree In variouâ— Dispensations Equal'd Thee Tâ—ou First didst own that Faith which â—e're shall Faile Since against It Hells Gates shall not Prevail Buâ— thou 〈◊〉 Dâ—preâ—ate the Limbs being Slain VVithout whose Dâ—ath Thy Faith had been in vain That Rock oâ— which the Church should â—ounded bee Tho thousands by mistake bâ—leev'd 't was Thee For Christ did name Thee Peter and did own Thou in His Church arâ— One Chief Corner Stone And Christ on Thee did the Honor showre Of being First in Order not in Pow'r Since the Keys Pow'rs with which Thou first wer't Blest Hee also did Conferr on all the Rest. His Faith to Walk on Waters did not shrink But Oh! How soon it fail'd and Hee did Sink Hee drew his Sword First on His Masters side But then That Hee his Master was Deny'd Hee first did Promise hee with Christ would Dy Buâ— when the Danger came he then did Fly Christ who his Heart better then hee did know Foretold his Fâ—ll before the Cock did Crow No meanes are weak which God Vouchsafes to vse The Crowing of a Cock His Faith Renews That Bird whofe voice does Vshâ—r in the Day Drove from his Soul the night of Sin away Whil'st Hee with Oaths and Curses Christ Aâ—jur'd Those Sins but by One Look of His were Cur'd O Pow'rfull Look which instantly could Dart The Rayes of Grace into a Pâ—rjur'd Heart O moveing Look which could so well Perswade That of a Sinnâ—r a Blest Saint It made Those bitter Tears which His Repentance Spilt So Pow'rfull were They wash'd off all His Guilt Thus Cleans'd He did Aspire for Christ to Dy. From whom before de did not Blush to Fâ—y So vast the Diff'rence is which God does Place Between the strengths of Nature and of Grace Now by oâ—e Sermon hee does Thousands make That Christ Adore which he did once Forsake The Bed-rid Persons now at his Comand On Their Long-vseless Limbs in Raptures stand His Shadow now does quicker Health Impart Then All the substance of the physiâ—k Art Now tho He could not give to Beggars Wealth Yet he did give Them greater Riches Health Now Tâ—at All Hypocrites his word might Dread God strikes Sapphira and her Husband Dead But Doreas whom the Weeping Widows Praise Christ from the Dead at Pâ—tâ—rs Word does Râ—ase Who then daâ—e thiâ—k God â—ill not at the Last Raise All the Dead at â—he 〈◊〉 Blast Since what Hâ— did to â—abitha has show'd The Pow'r to doe it God on man Bestow'd Reason without the Help of Faith doth show God can doe more then He made Peter doe Who Doubts the Dead shall Rise at Times last How'r Questions at Once Gods Promise and His Pow'r Tho These and many Wonders more wâ—e see The Sacred Word of God Records of Thee Yâ—t from what Scripture can Romes Bishops Plead That Thy Successors are the Churches Head Antioch does sâ—em to have a stronger Claim Since there the Christians first Râ—ceiv'd their Name And All past Ages as the present Own In Antioch Thou didst Erect Thy Throne Rome but the second Place was where it stood Rome whose vngratefull Earth suâ—kd up Thy Blood Whilst Antioch vrges Sâ—â—e was Thy First See First Learn'd Thy Faith and from Thy Blood was Free Sâ—ee seems in these 〈◊〉 Bâ—â—ssingsto Exceed What ever Romes best Orators can Plead This made the Nicene Fathers to Decree The pope of Antioch a first Pope should bee For till Romes Church did Thirst for Pow'r and Fame Pope to All Bishops was a Common Name But Time which All but Truth doth Overcome Antioch Destroy'd and has Exalted Rome Yet this alone is the best Plea wee see Which Rome can vrge for Her Supremacy Which were it Good the World must then Confess That Romes Supramacy is Her Success Divers Popes show who Errors did Embrace Faith comes not by Succession but by Grace That Blest Evangelist whose Pen did write The Gospell which most think thou didst Indiâ—â— Lets us thy Fall in Fowler Colours see Then are made vse of by the Other Three â—y which wee Learn when wee a Sin Commitâ— Wee should Our selves be most Severe to It. But thy great Failing which so Black Appâ—ars Faith has wash'd off both in thy Blood and Tears Tho trembling Fâ—ar made thee from Iesus Fly Yet stable Faith made thee for Him to Dy. And Judge â—ince Christ Dy'd
stately Church Erect On the Day of St. Ioâ—n the Apostle HAil Great Apostle who so happy prov'd As to be call'd th' Apostle IESUS Lov'd A Name which does to thee more Glory bring Then wer 't Thou stil'd the Vniversall King Who well can think Linus and Cletus were Who next to Blessed Peter fill'd Romes Câ—air The onely Heads Christ to His Church did give While â—hou who on â—is Bosome Dwâ—llst didst Live Thou on whose Head while Thousands did Admire The Spirit did sitt in Cloven Tongues of Fire Thou whom that Spirit did Inspire to write The Loftiest Gospell which it did Indite Thou whose blest Tongue by God himself was Chose That Book to Dictate which His Word did Close Thou to whom Christ while yeilding vp the Ghost Gave Gifts the Like of which none Else could boast Hee left His Blessed Mother to Thy Care And by Adoption made Thee His Joint Heir None could whilst Thou on Earth mad'st Thy abodâ— Bee above â—hee who Brother wer 't to God Yet this great Truth must Contradicted bee Or it must Ruine Romes Supremacy Whose Sons alas with too much guilt maintain Onely Their Bishops o're Christs Church can Raigne God might to Thee so Long a Life Dispence That such Vsurping might have noe Pretence Tho Tyrants Thee to Patmos did Condemn Yet there Thou saw'st the New Ierusalem God shew'd Thee thence lest too Long Life might Cloy Those Glories which through Faith thou shouldst Enjoy Let none Admire since Christ Lov'd Thee so well That Hee so Long left Thee on Earth to Dwell For since to serve Him here Hee did Decree To do His will on Earth was Heav'n to Thee Thus Angells tho from God They take their Flight Yet finde in Their Obedience Their Delight Thou onely of Thy Blest Society Christ did permit a Naturall Death to Dye Mans Fury did the Rest to Death Decree But Age it self to God presented Thee Which proves All Those as sure to beav'n shall Climbe Who Dye in Christ as those who Dy For Him Many might else from His Blest Doctrine Fly Iâ— all who taught it had been Doom'd to Dy. Which sinfull Fear that All men might Decline God who Their Lives did shorten Lengthen'd Thine On the Day of St. Matthias THE APOSTLE VVHen Cursed Iudas the sad Breach had made By having both His Lord and Soul Betray'd Peter by Scripture Lets th' Apostles See They were Impowr'd to fill the Vacancie Which to effect They Invocated Heaven And Lots did Cast the Spirit not been given Our Saint and Iusâ—us were the Blessed Pair Of which One should by Lot fill Iudas Chair Hail Glorious Saint who to the Honour got Of the Apostleship by Sacred Lot Thy Blessed self wer't both the first and Last Whom God that way in that High Office Plac'd And what the Lot Declar'd the Holy Ghost Confirm'd on the great Day of Pentecost For then the Spirit vnto Thee was given As God bestow'd it on the Blest Eleven Tho Iustus â—ist of that Supream Degree For which Hee then stood Candidate with Thee Yet to the Second Christ did Him admitt Since For the First th' Apostles Judg'd Him Fitt Hee knew their Prayr's th'vnerring Lot did guide And it was God did the great Doubt decide To which Hee did Submitt without Appeal And what it gave a Miracle did Seale By which the Churches Priesthood God made known Shall be continued by Election That Sacred Office which so Long did shine In Levi's Tribe and in High Aarons Line Now was by Gods Decree to yeild the Place To the more Glorious Ministry of Grace None therefore to th' Apostolate e're gott Of Levi's house either By Choice or Lott Christ Calling none to it of Aarons Line Declar'd Hee did that Priesthoods End Designe After Our Saint was with the Spirit Blest His Soul Allow'd his Body little Rest Through many Regions Hee the Gospell spread And Those reviv'd who in their Sins were Dead Authors in Various Narratives abound Where t was that Hee with Martyrdome was Crown'd In Ancient Martyrologies wee Read The Jews first Ston'd Him then Cutt off his Head But if Greek Offices may bee beleev'd Hee on a Cross his Martyrdome Receiv'd Hellen the mother of Great Constantine In whom Exalted Piety did Shine The Relicks of Our Saint did so Esteem That she remov'd them from Ierusalem And at new Rome much Time and Treasure spent In giving them a Second Monument From thence as Old Church Histories have said His bones to other Cityes were Convay'd And even to our Times Triers and Rome Contest in which of Them they have their Tombe Since of His Dust so much Esteem is had Much Greater to his Doctrine should bee pai'd On the Day of St Mark THE EVANGELIST HAil Great Evangelist whose Sacred Pen Inspir'd by God has taught His wayes to Men Before Hee did Receive His saveing Call Into what sad Back-slideing did Hee Fall Great Epiphanius has expresly showne Thaâ— of the Guilty number he was One Who when they Literally vnderstood They were to Eat Christs Flesh and Drink His Bâ—ood Th' Amazeâ—ng Doctrine They diâ— so Abhorr That They withdrew and walk'd with Him no more Yet the like words mistaken are bâ—come And made an Article of Faith by Rome Averroes pray'd Hâ—aring such Doctrine prest His Soul with the Philosophers might Rest. Heathens have no beleif so wild and Odd As both to Worship and to Eat their God But Peter did to Mark the Truth Dispence And shew'd the words had a Spirituall Sence His Faith thus Fix'd He ne're again did Fall But was to Peter what Luke was to Paul And after Hee His Convert was become Hee did Attend Him when He went to Rome The Earliest Writers diffâ—r where and when The World did ow the Gospell to his Pen. Which Peter did Review and then Decreed It should bee in Divine Assemblies Râ—ad Papias and Eusebius Declare 'T was writt at Rome and at His Câ—nverts Pray'r But the Veâ—etians will not this Adâ—itt They say It was at Aqâ—ilejâ— writt And that the Greek Originall's with Them VVâ—ich They of Aâ—l tâ—eir â—reasures mâ—â—t Eâ—teem Blest Peter who at Rome was in Restraint Egypt to Free Thither employ'd our Saint True Gospell Charity in this VVee see â—hile him they bâ—â—d â—ee does sett others Free Free from worse Chaines then Tyrants make vs bear 〈…〉 are than Nero's heavyer Nile to her People ne're such blessiâ—gs brought As They enjoy'd by the Blest Faith he taught Fair Alexandria was the Happy place Which with His Doctrine Hee did oftnâ—st Grace By which mâ—re Fam'd by much it did become Then for its bâ—ing Alexanders Tombe Or for those Pyramiâ—s to which were given More heighth then to that Tower which threaâ—end Heav'n Or to those mountaines which by Gyants paines Were Raisd to Scale the Skies from Phlegra 's Pâ—aines Yet Hee his Mitre did not there Confiâ—e
much to Him the Christian World does ow Rude Lycaonia by his Sacred Pains Hee from Idolatry to Iesus Gaines From thence he did the Gospell propagate Even in that India stil'd the Fortunate VVhich by his Preaching there might such be Held More then for All the Riches it does yield Spices and those bright Stones with which the East Of all parts of the World does seem most Blâ—st May Justly but as Dung and Dross be thought Compar'd to saveing Faith which there he Taught St. Mathews Gospell Hee the Indians showd More wealth then Nature had on them Bâ—stow'd So Bright he Shin'd so swiftly hee did Run As makes Him seem more then a Second Sun His Early Beames did in the East appeare Then to Armenia Hee his Light did Beare Astiages who then possest that Throne Was Happy in his Brother Palemon Whom our great Saint Converâ—ed to the Faith Which Rais'd the Tyrants Anger to an Heighth That did the Royall Office mis become Our Saint he Doom'd to Triple Martyrdome First Flay'd alive then on a Cross was Ty'd Where Preaching still the Faith for which Hee Dy'd His Murtherers who did his Doctrine Dreaâ— To stop the Martyrs mouth Cutt off His Head His Royall Blood thus spent more Glory gaines Then had it still been Circling in his Veines The slighted Torments of his Triple Death The Truths hee Seal'd even with his Dying breath Convinc'd Blest Palemon and others too An Happy Life to such a Death was Due This made that Prince Contemn a Temporall Throne To strive to Climbe to an Eternall One. And to such heighth of Holynes did Soare As Hee the first Armenian Mitre wore Wearing a Mitre well gaines more Renown Than only but by Birth to weare a Crown Learn'd Hereticks Observing Our Saints Fame A Gospell wrote and call'd it by His Name Knowing that none could any Doubts admitt Of what they did beleeve his Pen had writt But Pope Gelaâ—ius did a Synod Call And justly Sentenc'd it Apocrypall Popes in Old times were men of High Renowne Shining in Faith not in a Triple Crown OUr Saint in Divers Citties had a Tombe In Daras Benevent and Last in Rome Where may They be so Pious and so Just As more to Prize His Faith and Less His Dust On the Day of St. Matâ—hew the APOSTLE and EVANGELIST BLest Saint who from a Publicanes Loath'd Trade Thy seâ—f to Christ as a Due Tribute Paid Thy Gainfull Office when the word Hee Spake Thou didst with Gladness instantly Forsake Thou by that Call the Wisdome didst Obtaine To Know that Goalyness was Highest Gain Thy Noble Dinner where Christ was Thy Guest Might well bee Reckoâ—d as thy Marriage Feast There Thou wer 't Ioined to the Churches Head The World Divorc'd and didst the Gospell Wedd In that great Feast All Gallilee did See How Blest Thy Change of Life Appear'd to Thee If such Râ—joyceings might not bee Exprest Christ with His Presâ—nce had not Grac'd the Feast How Iustly may a Sinners Second Birth Which causes Ioy in Heav'n Cause Feasts on Earth Christ the high Honor did to Thee Afford To bee the First who wrote His Sacred Word By which thy Counâ—â—ey-men did ow to Thee The Light which Them from Moses Yoke did Free When with that Book he had Iudea Blest Hee went to Propagate it in the East There Hee the Gospell to the Parthians taught And those Fierce men vnder Christs Scepter brought One man from God did Partâ—ia more Subdue Then all the Roman Legions e're could doe For by the Holy Ghost Hee let thâ—m See That only They who Iesus serve are Frâ—e From Parthia by Gods Dictates being sent Hee to the Sooty Ethiopians went A Blackness on their Soules was caus'd by Sin Much worse then that the Sun made on their Skin Yet Christs Baptismall Water had such might As Hee by it did wash the Ethiops white Inwardly white which God does higher Prize Then men th' Externall which so Courts their Eyes In these two Regions Hee his Race did Run Which more enlighten'd Them then did the Sun Authors Dispute where he Receiv'd his Doome But all Agree Hee Suffer'd Martyrdome And that the Faith Hee did to Them Reveale Hee with His precious Blood at last did Seale His Converts were by it the Firmlyer ty'd And in that Truth did Live for which Hee dy'd Two mighty Kingdomes to Our Times Contest In which of them His Sacred Reliques Rest. But Ciâ—ties strove which Homers Birth should have But Empires strive which has Our Martyrs Grave Yet Vaster Diff'rence is in what They writt So much is Inspiration above Witt On the Day St. Luke the EVANGELIST HAil Great Physitian Great without Controule Thy Skill does heal the Body and the Soule Rome with Thy Antioch might Exchange her Famâ— It gave Thee Birâ—h and to the Christians Name The Least of Both more Honoâ— to Her brought Then All Her Schooles in which the East was taught A Double Glory thy blest Pen Contracts Writing Christs Gospell and th' Apostles Acts. Had wee of this great Record been bereâ—t In how much Darkness had the World been Left And how much greater Knowledge might wee VVin If Thou hadst Finish'd what Thou didst begin But How dare VVee Laâ—ent the want of it Since God has Judg'd That Deprivation fitt And by what 's Left the Christian VVorld may Boasâ— None need for want of Knowledge to bee Lost. Since All our Condemnation will be Due To our Performing Less then what wee Knew To Thee and Vs that Influence was Kinde By which to Holy Paul thou first wer't Join'd Illustrious Blessings Thou Obtain'st by It Tâ—y Praise is in the Sacred Scriptures writt Belov'd Physâ—tian Thee Gods word does Call And the Blest Fellow-Lâ—borer of Paul â—ho Schooles Conferr on Schollers High Degrees Yet none e're gave any so High as these Nor couldst thou From thy Antioch Schooles have brought Such Learning as to Thee by Paul was Taught Men gave to Mans Phylosophy the Place That 's Dâ—e to the Philosophy of Grace Of that High Science which by Time and Care Men strove to Learne God bids vs to Beware More vsefull Learning in Christs Schoole is taught Then any which meere men to Mankind brought All School Philosophy we must Decline That may oppose attaining to Divine The Path which Leads to Glory must bee Trâ—â— Not in Mâ—ns Wisdome but the Pow'r of God No wonder that ouâ— Saint so great a Friend To Learning did so Close on Paul Attend Whose Brest Inspir'd was with more knowledge Crown'd Then in the Fam'd Pantheon could bee Found And nâ—ver Left Him till in guilty Rome His great Instructor Purchas'd Martyrdome From that Vngratefull City then He goes And on the World his precious Time bestows Iâ— Maps no Regions Geographers admitt But are Oblig'd by what he Taught and writt The Martyrologies of Greece and Rome Difâ—er where he enjoy'd his Martyrdome